Gun shops report increase in sales as restrictions pass

April 16, 2018

ST. JOHNSBURY, Vt. (AP) — Some gun shops in border towns say they have seen an uptick in business since Vermont passed restrictions on gun ownership.

Gary Griswold, owner of Gateway Sports in Wells River, which borders New Hampshire, tells the Caledonian Record he has seen a 40 percent increase in sales since lawmakers first began discussing gun restrictions.

Republican Gov. Phil Scott signed several gun-related bills into law Wednesday. The bills raise the age to buy firearms, ban high-capacity magazine and make it easier to take guns from people who pose a threat.

Griswold says his shop has seen an increase in people buying semi-automatic rifles, high-capacity magazines and handguns. He expects the increase to continue until the law is implemented in the fall.